Sole unit with adjustable arch

ABSTRACT

The inventive subject matter provides an adjustable midsole that can be contained within sole units for shoes generally and particularly within thin profile sole units. An adjustment of the midsole results in a change in the profile of a predetermined portion of the foot-supporting surface of a shoe to help accommodate the foot morphology of a particular wearer or to provide performance enhancements.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/314,062, filed Mar. 15, 2010, the content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full hereinfor all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The inventive subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to asole unit with an adjustable midsole for changing the profile of thefoot supporting surface of a shoe. More particularly, the inventivesubject matter relates to an adjustable arch support that is heightadjustable by an adjustment mechanism positioned between a footbed andan outsole of a sole unit, for example, as used in a sandal, sports shoeor boot.

Although footwear comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate the rangeof foot lengths and widths, a given shoe size still may not fit a wearerwell because of variability in the morphology of the foot. Thisvariability is often expressed in differences in arch height, which canrange from flat-footed to high arch. Because of variability in footmorphology, there is a need to provide adjustable shoes that can betterconform to the shape of a wearer's foot within a given shoe size.

Several attempts have been made to incorporate into a shoe added comfortwith arch support that is adjustable to provide support to various footcontours. For example, there have been attempts to cushion the upper andsole of a shoe with air by using inflating mechanisms, such as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 2,020,240 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,177,116. Other attemptsuse a vertically adjustable screw and spring mechanism, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,473, or a screw and adjusting lever,for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,329. These attemptssuffer from various drawbacks, including that they are overlycomplicated and not easy to use, inefficient, uncomfortable, or notsuitable for all shoe types. For example, the prior art assemblies wouldnot work for a sandal-type shoe because they would not be easilycontained within the thin profile of a sandal sole.

Accordingly, there is a need for a sole unit that has an adjustmentmechanism that addresses the aforementioned problems in the prior artand otherwise improves the state of the art.

SUMMARY

The inventive subject matter addresses the foregoing by providing anadjustable midsole that can be contained within sole units generally,and particularly within thin profile sole units. An adjustment of themidsole results in a change in the profile of a predetermined portion ofthe foot-supporting surface of a shoe to help accommodate the footmorphology of a particular wearer or to provide performanceenhancements.

In certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter is directed to asole unit having a support system contained therein for adjusting afoot-supporting surface shape of the sole unit, the support systemhaving a support plate mounted within the sole unit, a base platesecured to the sole unit extending over an area generally below thesupport plate, an adjustment mechanism positioned between the base plateand support plate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the support plateand comprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on a pathunder the support plate that is transverse to an axis of the supportplate. The adjustment of the adjustment mechanism causes the elevatingmember to engage the support plate and change its height, which changein height results in a change to the foot-supporting surface shape ofthe sole unit. In the foregoing embodiment, the support plate may bedisposed in a rearfoot, midfoot, or forefoot portion of the sole unitand independently adjusts the portion relative to another portion, forexample, the support plate may be disposed in a midfoot portion tosupport the arch of a foot. The inventive subject matter is furtherdirected to a shoe incorporating the sole unit described above.

In other possible embodiments, an adjustable arch support for a shoe,particularly a sandal, may have an arch support plate extending from anouter edge on the medial side of the shoe to a central portion of theshoe, and the arch support plate curving gradually to form an arch fitthat is generally complementary to the arch of a foot. The adjustablearch support further has a base plate secured to the shoe extending overan area generally below the arch support plate, and an adjustmentmechanism positioned between the base plate and arch support plate. Theadjustment mechanism includes an adjustment screw, a threaded memberinteracting with the adjustment screw, and an elevating member adaptedto interact freely with the threaded member and coupled to the archsupport plate. Rotation of the adjustment screw repositions the threadedmember so that the elevating member and the associated arch supportplate are repositioned and the height and curvature of the arch supportplate is adjusted. In the foregoing embodiment, the support plate mayinclude a semi-rigid material, for example a thermoplastic material. Inthe foregoing embodiment, the adjustment screw may be operativelypositioned along a transverse axis of the shoe between the arch supportplate and base plate so that the height and curvature of the archsupport plate are adjusted when the screw is rotated. In the foregoingembodiment, the adjustment mechanism may have a guide channel guidingthe screw in a path under the support plate that is transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the support plate. In the foregoing embodiment, thebase plate may have a plurality of ridges sloping down from an outeredge on the medial side of the base plate towards a central portion ofthe shoe. In the foregoing embodiment, the base plate may have a guidechannel formed by ridges sloping from a medial side of the base plate toa central portion of the shoe and adapted for guiding the threadedmember and elevating member. In the foregoing embodiment, the threadedmember and the elevating member may have a surface with complementaryshapes configured to engage and adjust the height of the arch supportplate. In the foregoing embodiment, the elevating member may have awedge shape with a side that is sloped complementary to a sloped side ofthe threaded member so that repositioning the sloped sides relative toeach other adjusts the height and curvature of the arch support platerelative to the base plate. In the foregoing embodiment, the archsupport plate may have engageable elements adapted to slideably engagecomplementary engageable elements on the base plate so that the archsupport is freely moveable relative to the base plate, for example, thebase plate may have a plurality of slots freely engaging correspondingtabs on the arch support plate, and the arch support plate configured toslide relative to the base plate.

In another possible embodiment, the inventive subject matter is directedto a sole unit with an adjustable arch having an outsole, a footbedmounted to or otherwise integrated with the outsole, and an adjustablearch support mounted between the outsole and the footbed at a locationcorresponding to the arch of a foot, the adjustable arch supportcomprising a support plate mounted within the sole unit, a base platesecured to the sole unit extending over an area generally below thesupport plate, an adjustment mechanism positioned between the base plateand support plate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the support plateand comprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on a pathunder the support plate that is transverse to an axis of the supportplate, and wherein the adjustment of the adjustment mechanism causes theelevating member to engage the support plate and change its height,which change in height results in a change to the foot-supportingsurface shape of the sole unit. In the foregoing embodiment, the soleunit may further have a midsole located between the outsole and thefootbed, and the midsole shaped to accommodate an adjustable archsupport.

The inventive subject matter is further directed to a kit includingfootwear having a sole unit as described above and a key adapted toadjust the adjustment mechanism of the support system.

The inventive subject matter further contemplates a method of making asole unit having a support system contained therein for adjusting afoot-supporting surface shape of the sole unit, the method including thesteps of mounting a support plate within the sole unit, securing a baseplate to the sole unit extending over an area generally below thesupport plate, positioning an adjustment mechanism between the baseplate and support plate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the supportplate and comprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on apath under the support plate that is transverse to an axis of thesupport plate, and wherein the adjustment of the adjustment mechanismcauses the elevating member to engage the support plate and change itsheight, which change in height results in a change to thefoot-supporting surface shape of the sole unit. In the foregoingembodiment, the support plate may be disposed in a rearfoot, midfoot, orforefoot portion of the sole unit and independently adjusts the portionrelative to another portion.

The inventive subject matter further contemplates a method for making anadjustable arch support for a shoe by providing an arch support plateextending from an outer edge on the medial side of the shoe to a centralportion of the shoe and the arch support plate curving gradually to forman arch fit complementary to the arch of a foot, securing a base plateto the shoe extending over an area generally below the arch supportplate, positioning an adjustment mechanism between the base plate andarch support plate, the adjustment mechanism having an adjustment screw,a threaded member interacting with the adjustment screw, an elevatingmember adapted to interact freely with the threaded member and coupledto the arch support plate, and wherein rotation of the adjustment screwrepositions the threaded member so that the elevating member and theassociated arch support plate are repositioned and the height of thearch support plate is adjusted.

These and other embodiments are described in more detail in thefollowing detailed descriptions and the figures.

The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodimentsand features of the inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the artare capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures show embodiments according to the inventivesubject matter, unless noted as showing prior art.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a sandal with an adjustable arch.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the sandal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the sandal of FIG. 1 and a key to adjust the arch of thesandal.

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the sandal of FIG. 1 with a portion of thefootbed removed and pulled away to expose the support system.

FIG. 5 shows the inside to the adjustable arch support of FIG. 1 withthe arch support plate cut open and lifted.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show different views the inside of the arch support of thesandal of FIG. 1 with the arch support plate cut open along thetransverse axis of the sandal.

FIG. 8A shows a top view of a midsole with an adjustable arch supportsystem.

FIG. 8B shows a cross-section of the sole unit along the line B-B′indicated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C shows a cross-section of the sole unit along the line C-C′indicated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D shows cross-sections of the sole unit along the line D-D′indicated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E shows cross-sections of the sole unit along the line E-E′indicated in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a sole unit.

FIG. 10 shows different layers of the sole unit of FIG. 9 together witha key to adjust the support system.

FIGS. 11-12 show perspective views of the midsole and outsolerespectively of the sole unit of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 shows a bottom perspective view along the medial side of themidsole of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the support system along the medialside of the midsole of FIG. 9 with the arch support plate removed fromthe arch support system.

FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the arch support plate of the sole unitof FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a detail along the medial side ofthe arch support system of the sole unit of FIG. 9.

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of the base plate used in the arch supportsystem of the sole unit of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Representative embodiments according to the inventive subject matter areshown in FIGS. 1-17, wherein the same or generally similar featuresshare common reference numerals.

The inventive subject matter provides an adjustable sole that can becontained within sole units for shoes generally and particularly withinthin profile sole units. The shoe may be any article of footwear,including sports shoes, sandals, dress shoes, casual shoes, work shoes,sports boots such as ski, snowboard, and skate boots, or any other kindof shoe or boot. An adjustment of the sole results in a change in theprofile of a predetermined portion of the foot-supporting surface of ashoe to help accommodate the foot morphology of a particular wearer orto provide performance enhancements.

For convenience and unless context indicates otherwise, as used herein,“shoe” or “footwear” are all encompassing terms for any kind of shoe,sandal, boot or like durable item to shod the feet. As used herein a“sole unit” generally may comprise a full length midsole or discreteelements for energy absorption and/or return; or an outsole material forsurface contact and abrasion resistance and/or traction; or a singleunit providing such midsole or outsole functions across some or all thelength of a foot. While a sole unit would generally extend the length ofthe shoe, a sole unit could also comprise a unit that extends for alesser area, such as, just the forefoot or rearfoot portion, or someother area of lesser length or width.

The inventive subject matter is generally directed to an adjustablemidsole that can be contained within sole units generally andparticularly within thin profile sole units such as for sandals.

The adjustability system herein may be used at any location wereadjustability might be desired. For example, not only can it be used toprovide an adjustable arch, but it could also be used to increase ordecrease heel lift. For example, such increase or decrease could allowthe wearer to choose between positive, neutral and negative heel lift.As another example, the adjustment system may be arranged along lateraland/or medial sides of a shoe to cant a shoe or boot laterally ormedially. The canting could be a desirable performance-enhancing featurefor boots used in action sports, such as snowboarding or skiing Forconvenience, not limitation, the following discussion relates to anadjustable arch support for a sandal. However, from the teachingsherein, persons skilled in the art will appreciate how to adapt theinventive subject matter for other applications.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the inventive subject matter isdirected to a sole unit with an adjustable arch support. The adjustablearch support may be contained in a sole unit for a sandal between anoutsole and a footbed at a location corresponding to the arch of a foot.The shape of the adjustable arch support generally complements the shapeof the arch of a foot and may be adjusted for a comfortable fit.

In particular, the inventive subject matter is directed to an adjustablearch support having a movable arch support plate, a base plate, and anadjustment mechanism between the arch support plate and base plate tofacilitate adjustment of the support plate relative to the base plate.

Footwear, such as sandal 2 shown in FIGS. 1-14, has a sole unit 4 and ashoe upper 6 secured to sole unit 4. Shoe upper 6 includes straps 12adapted to hold sole unit 4 to the foot of a wearer. The sole unitgenerally includes a footbed 8 at the foot facing side that providescushioning to the foot, and an outsole 10 for ground surface contact andabrasion resistance and/or traction. The sole unit may also be formed asa single unit providing such footbed or outsole functions. FIGS. 9-16show a sole unit 4 having an outsole 10, a midsole 9, and a footbed 8.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-17, the upper of footbed 8 has araised surface 66 corresponding to the contours of arch supportmechanism 14. Additionally, the upper of footbed 8 may be provided witha top layer 64, such as a layer of nubuck or other leather material. Toplayer 64 may be fitted over midsole 9 and contoured around arch supportmechanism 14. In other embodiments, the sole unit may be provided with alaminate assemble of various other layers of material.

Working components of the adjustable arch support system may bepositioned entirely or partially within the sole unit. In the exampleshown, the components are integrated in the sole unit and concealed fromthe outside upper of the sole unit so that the foot of a wearer isprotected and so that the components are protected. By concealing thecomponents, they do not detract from the aesthetics of the sandal.

The components may be adjusted by rotating a part of a mechanism that isexposed at the side of the sole unit, for example by using a tool, suchas a hex key. FIGS. 9-16 show an adjustable arch support 14 positionedin a crescent cut-out in a molded midsole 9. The molded material of themidsole may be EVA or PU or other such foamed or foamed polymers used inmodern shoes. In this case, the midsole may include a slightly raisedrim along some or all its periphery. Footbed 8 fits within the rimmedportion of midsole 9 to provide cushioning and/or comfort to the foot.Outsole 10 attaches to the bottom surface of midsole 9. The outsole solemay be any kind of durable outsole material known for use in footwear,including leather, rubber, wood, cork, textile, EVA, PU and otherpolymers, and combinations of any of the foregoing.

FIGS. 4-8, 11-12, and 14-17 show the working components of theadjustable arch support mechanism 14. FIGS. 4-7 show the sandal of FIGS.1-3 with a cross portion of the footbed removed along a midfoot sectionof the sole unit and the footbed pulled away to show the support systemembedded in the midsole of the sandal. Arch support 14 includes an archsupport plate 16, a base plate 18, and an adjustment mechanism 20positioned between base plate 18 and arch support plate 16. In someembodiments, arch support plate 16, base plate 18, and adjustmentmechanism 20 may be permanently integrated in sole unit 4. For example,parts of adjustment mechanism 20 may be molded integrally with orcemented to plates 16 and 18 which are cemented or otherwise attached toor integrated with to midsole 9 and footbed 8. In other embodiments, theparts may be formed as having a complementary fit with interlockingportions that are snapped together.

Arch support plate 16 extends from an outer edge 22 on the medial sideof the sole unit 4 to a central portion 23 of sole unit 4. Arch supportplate 16 curves gradually upward from the central portion to the medialportion of the sole unit to form an arch fit corresponding to the archof a foot. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-17 arch support plate 16has a crescent shape. However, the arch support plate may have anysuitable shape. Arch support plate 16 is movable in height relative tobase plate 18. The height of arch support plate 16 may be adjustedaccording to the requirement for support by a user, as described in moredetail below.

Base plate 18 extends over an area generally below arch support plate16. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A-E, 11, 12 and 14-17, base plate 18has a crescent shape similar to the shape of arch support plate 16 butwith a circumference slightly larger than arch support plate 16 so thatthe medial edges of the two plates align but the curved edge of baseplate 18 extends beyond arch support plate 16.

Adjustment mechanism 20 includes an elevating member 28 that is coupledto the support plate 16. Elevating member 28 is movable along a path ina direction that is transverse to the long axis of the support plate.Moving elevating member 28 along the transverse path cams support plate16 upwardly or downwardly to adjust arch height. In the example shown,adjustment mechanism 20 further includes a screw 24 and a threadedmember 26 housed in a guide channel 40 of base plate 18. Threaded member26 interacts with adjustment screw 24 via a threaded passage or channel.Elevating member 28 has a surface that interacts with a complementarysurface of threaded member 26. Rotation of adjustment screw 24repositions threaded member 26 in guide channel 40 so that elevatingmember 28 is repositioned along a path that is transverse to an axis ofthe support plate and the height of arch support plate 16 is adjusted.For example, threaded member 26 and elevating member 28 may each have aslanted surface with generally complementary shape. For example, asshown in FIGS. 6-8, 14 and 16, threaded member 26 has a generally cuboidshape with a threaded opening for adjustment screw 24 approximately inthe center of the cuboid shape and running along a transverse axis ofmember 26 and sole unit 4. Threaded member 26 further has a slopedportion 44 facing the medial side of the sole. Elevating member 28 has ageneral wedge shape coupled to arch support plate 16 with a sloped side42 facing threaded member 26 and wherein sloped side 42 is complementaryto sloped side 44 of threaded member 26 so that repositioning the slopedside of the threaded member adjusts the height and curvature of archsupport plate 16 relative to base plate 18. Furthermore, elevatingmember 28 is located proximately to the medial edge of the arch supportplate 16 and may have an allowance 56 for screw 24 to pass throughfreely when the elevating member is in the lowest position.

Adjustment screw 24 is operatively positioned and secured for rotationbetween arch support plate 16 and base plate 18 along a horizontaltransverse axis of the sandal. Adjustment screw 24 has an enlarged headportion 30 which prevents the screw from moving into the interior of thearch support mechanism and which provides easy access for adjustmentwithout removal of any portion of the sole unit construction. Headportion 30 of screw 24 extends to the outside of the shoe at the medialside and is operatively fitted into a channel 62. Head 30 is adapted tointeract with a key, for example hex key 32, as shown in FIG. 3.Rotation of hex key 32 rotates screw 24, which results in a linearrepositioning of threaded member 26 along the transverse axis of thesole unit. Movement of threaded member 26 leads to a repositioning ofelevating member 28 along the path under the support plate, which lowersor elevates arch support plate 16. In some embodiments, furtheradjustment may be provided by tensioning support plate 16 relative tobase plate 18. For example, the support plate may include a semi-rigidmaterial that allows changing of the shape or curvature of the supportplate. For example the support plate may include a thermoplasticmaterial such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or any other naturalor synthetic material with suitable tensioning properties.

Base plate 18 is provided with a guide channel 40 guiding threadedelement 26 and elevating member 28 along a transverse axis of sole unit4. The sides of guide channel 40 may be formed of ridges 34 sloping downfrom an outer edge 36 at the medial side of base plate 18 towards acentral portion 38 of base plate 18. Ridges 34, together with outer rim60 of guide channel 40, form an elongated chamber in base plate 18wherein adjustment mechanism 20 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 6, threadedmember 26 may extend above ridges 34 of guide channel 40. The height ofthreaded member 26 may correspond approximately to the depth of channel40 at the medial side of the channel. When threaded member 26 moves awayfrom the medial edge towards central portion 26, the top surface ofthreaded member 26 may extend above sloped ridges 34 of channel 40.

Guide channel 40 may end at the medial side into a channel 62 at outerrim 60 to guide screw 24. Channel 62 extends to the outside of sole unit4. A bottom portion of guide channel 40 may be formed as a rectangularrecess in base plate 18 positioned centrally along the medial side ofbase plate 18, for example as shown in FIG. 17. A guide piece 58 may bepositioned on the inside of outer rim 60 to guide screw 24 and provide astop for threaded member 26 and elevated member 28. Ridges 34 of channel40 hold arch support plate 16 at a minimum distance from base plate sothat pressure on the plates does not interfere with functioning of theadjustment mechanism. Base plate 18 may have support additional ridges35, for example four ridges as shown in FIG. 14 that radiate and slopedown from an outer edge 36 of base plate 18 towards a central portion ofbase plate 18.

In some embodiments, arch support plate 16 may include engageableelements 46 adapted to slideably engage complementary engageableelements 48 on base plate 18 so that arch support plate 16 may berepositioned relative to base plate 18. For example, base plate 18 mayhave several slots 50 of a general rectangularly curved shape positionedalong a curved line corresponding to the outer edge of support plate 16and adapted to engage complementary shaped tabs 52 on arch support plate16. Tabs 52 and slots 50 allow for a slideable repositioning of archsupport plate 16 relative to base plate 18. Ridges 34, 35 slope down andend at a position medial of slots 50. Central portion 38 of base plate18 further may have an edge formed as a raised surface 54 accommodatingtabs 52 and allowing tabs 52 to slide underneath raised surface 54.

A user may adjust the height and curve of the arch support by engagingthe adjustment screw head 30 with a key, for example hex key 32.Rotation of key 32 adjusts screw 24, which repositions threaded member26 along a transverse axis of sole unit 4. Sloped side 44 of threadedmember 26 interacts with sloped side 42 of elevating member 28, therebymoving elevating member either downward or upward relative to threadedmember 26. By changing the height of elevating member 28, the positionof arch support plate 16 is also changed and arch support plate 16 movesupward or downward relative to base plate 18. Support plate 16 is heldin the desired position by threaded member 26, which is held in place byscrew 24 in guide channel 40. Additionally, when arch support plate 16is moved upward, arch support plate 16 may be tensioned and warped intoan elevated position. Interaction of engageable elements 46 and 48 allowarch support plate 16 to move relative to base plate 18 while alsoholding and tensioning arch support plate 16. To accomplish thetensioning and allow for warping of the support plate, the plate may bemade of a semi-rigid material, for example a thermoplastic material. Inother embodiments, the support plate may include a combination of rigidand flexible materials.

The inventive subject matter is further directed to a kit includingfootwear with an adjustable arch as described above and a key adapted toadjust the adjustment screw.

The inventive subject matter further contemplates a method for makingand using the adjustable arch support and shoe having such a support asdescribed above. The above described shoe may be made by mounting orotherwise integrating a shoe upper on a sole unit. In the embodimentsdescribed above, arch support plate 16 and base plate 18 may be made ofa molded plastic that provides sufficient support while also beingsomewhat resilient. Adjustment screw 24 and threaded member 26 may bemade of metal, for example, for strength and wear from foot pressureagainst the arch support components.

Footwear according to the inventive subject matter may come in differentstyles. Accordingly, the materials used, shapes, and structures of thesole unit and adjustable arch support may vary.

Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications andvariations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements ofthe parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in orderto explain the nature of the inventive subject matter, and that suchmodifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe teachings and claims contained therein.

All patent and non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporatedby references in its entirety for all purposes.

1. A sole unit having a support system contained therein for adjusting afoot-supporting surface shape of the sole unit, the support systemcomprising: a support plate mounted within the sole unit; a base platesecured to the sole unit extending over an area generally below thesupport plate; an adjustment mechanism positioned between the base plateand support plate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the support plateand comprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on a pathunder the support plate that is transverse to an axis of the supportplate; and wherein the adjustment of the adjustment mechanism causes theelevating member to engage the support plate and change its height,which change in height results in a change to the foot-supportingsurface shape of the sole unit.
 2. The sole unit of claim 1 wherein thesupport plate is disposed in a rearfoot, midfoot, or forefoot portion ofthe sole unit and independently adjusts the portion relative to anotherportion.
 3. The sole unit of claim 1 wherein the support plate isdisposed in an area of the sole unit corresponding to an arch of a foot.4. A shoe with a sole unit according to claim
 1. 5. An adjustable archsupport for a shoe comprising: an arch support plate extending from anouter edge on the medial side of the shoe to a central portion of theshoe and the arch support plate curving gradually to form an arch fitcomplementary to the arch of a foot; a base plate secured to the shoeextending over an area generally below the arch support plate; anadjustment mechanism positioned between the base plate and arch supportplate, the adjustment mechanism comprising an adjustment screw; athreaded member interacting with the adjustment screw; an elevatingmember adapted to interact freely with the threaded member and coupledto the arch support plate; and wherein rotation of the adjustment screwrepositions the threaded member so that the elevating member and theassociated arch support plate are repositioned and the height of thearch support plate is adjusted.
 6. The adjustable arch support of claim5 wherein the support plate comprises a semi-rigid material.
 7. Theadjustable arch support of claim 5 wherein the support plate comprises athermoplastic material.
 8. The adjustable arch support of claim 5wherein the adjustment screw is operatively positioned along atransverse axis of the shoe between the arch support plate and baseplate so that the height and curvature of the arch support plate areadjusted when the screw is rotated.
 9. The adjustable arch support ofclaim 5 wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a guide channelguiding the screw in a path under the support plate that is transverseto the longitudinal axis of the support plate.
 10. The adjustable archsupport of claim 5 wherein the base plate comprises a plurality ofridges sloping down from an outer edge on the medial side of the baseplate towards a central portion of the shoe.
 11. The adjustable archsupport of claim 5 wherein the base plate comprises a guide channelformed by ridges sloping from a medial side of the base plate to acentral portion of the shoe and adapted for guiding the threaded memberand elevating member.
 12. The adjustable arch support of claim 5 whereinthe threaded member and the elevating member have a surface withcomplementary shapes configured to engage and adjust the height of thearch support plate.
 13. The adjustable arch support of claim 5 whereinthe elevating member has a wedge shape with a side that is slopedcomplementary to a sloped side of the threaded member so thatrepositioning the sloped sides relative to each other adjusts the heightand curvature of the arch support plate relative to the base plate. 14.The adjustable arch support of claim 5 wherein the arch support platecomprises engageable elements adapted to slideably engage complementaryengageable elements on the base plate so that the arch support is freelymoveable relative to the base plate.
 15. The adjustable arch support ofclaim 5 wherein the base plate comprises a plurality of slots freelyengaging corresponding tabs on the arch support plate, and the archsupport plate configured to slide relative to the base plate.
 16. A soleunit with an adjustable arch, comprising: an outsole; a footbed mountedto or otherwise integrated with the outsole; an adjustable arch supportmounted between the outsole and the footbed at a location correspondingto the arch of a foot, the adjustable arch support comprising: a supportplate mounted within the sole unit; a base plate secured to the soleunit extending over an area generally below the support plate; anadjustment mechanism positioned between the base plate and supportplate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the support plate andcomprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on a pathunder the support plate that is transverse to an axis of the supportplate; and wherein the adjustment of the adjustment mechanism causes theelevating member to engage the support plate and change its height,which change in height results in a change to the foot-supportingsurface shape of the sole unit.
 17. The sole unit of claim 16 furthercomprising a midsole located between the outsole and the footbed, andthe midsole shaped to accommodate an adjustable arch support.
 18. A kitcomprising: footwear having a sole unit as claimed in claim 1; and a keyadapted to adjust the adjustment mechanism of the support system.
 19. Amethod for making a sole unit having a support system contained thereinfor adjusting a foot-supporting surface shape of the sole unitcomprising: mounting a support plate within the sole unit; securing abase plate to the sole unit extending over an area generally below thesupport plate; positioning an adjustment mechanism between the baseplate and support plate, the adjustment mechanism coupled to the supportplate and comprising an elevating member that is slideably disposed on apath under the support plate that is transverse to an axis of thesupport plate; and wherein the adjustment of the adjustment mechanismcauses the elevating member to engage the support plate and change itsheight, which change in height results in a change to thefoot-supporting surface shape of the sole unit.
 20. The method of claim19 wherein the support system is disposed in a rearfoot, midfoot, orforefoot portion of the sole unit and independently adjusts the portionrelative to another portion.
 21. A method for making an adjustable archsupport for a shoe comprising: providing an arch support plate extendingfrom an outer edge on the medial side of the shoe to a central portionof the shoe and the arch support plate curving gradually to form an archfit complementary to the arch of a foot; securing a base plate to theshoe extending over an area generally below the arch support plate;positioning an adjustment mechanism between the base plate and archsupport plate, the adjustment mechanism comprising an adjustment screw;a threaded member interacting with the adjustment screw; an elevatingmember adapted to interact freely with the threaded member and coupledto the arch support plate; and wherein rotation of the adjustment screwrepositions the threaded member so that the elevating member and theassociated arch support plate are repositioned and the height of thearch support plate is adjusted.